Squid Game Season 2 was released on December 26, 2024, quickly becoming Netflix’s most significant hit of the year. This success, however, was not unexpected. In 2021, the first season of Squid Game achieved the status of the most-watched TV show of all time. Given this success, it was only natural that the second season would follow suit. Squid Game features actors such as Lee Jung-jae and Lee Byung-hun, along with several well-known celebrities, including K-pop stars Yim Si-wan from ZE:A, Jo Yu-ri from IZ*ONE, and T.O.P from Big Bang. The series was created by Hwang Dong-hyuk.

Season 2 begins with Lee Jung-jae’s character, who initially plans to board a flight to visit his daughter. However, he ultimately decides to return and re-enter the Squid Game. Upon awakening in the game once again, he appears much angrier compared to his last experience, he wants to end the games. As he heads toward the first game, Red Light, Green Light, he encounters his best friend and warns him to stay close. He urges everyone to remain still, fearing the deadly consequences for any movement. His warning goes unheeded until the first victim is shot, signaling the beginning of the deadly competition.

Themes of survival, greed, loyalty, and morality remain central to Squid Game Season 2. The show continues to explore the corruption surrounding money, the desperate lengths people will go to for a chance at a better life, and the loss of humanity when money becomes the main goal. Season 2 takes these themes further by confronting the consequences of players’ actions from the first season, which ripple throughout the new game. A new addition to the games includes the feature of allowing players to vote at any time in order to end the game, however, the majority never does. This shows just how far players are willing to go just for some extra cash, exploiting their fellow players and forcing them to die in these games.
The season ends with a cliffhanger in the final episode. As Seong Gi-hun approaches the final round, he uncovers a shocking twist about the true nature of the game, revealing a player’s true identity. Just as he prepares to confront the mastermind, the screen cuts to black, leaving viewers with the question of “Will the games continue?” Watchers are also left in the dark about many of their favorite character’s wellbeing. This cliffhanger sets the stage for a highly anticipated third season, making Squid Game fanatics everywhere desperate for new episodes.